Downhole swivel tool

Abstract

The invention provides a swivel tool for use in a wellbore. The tool comprises a tool body and a mandrel which is axially moveable relative to the tool body. The tool also comprises a lock member moveable between a first condition in which the mandrel is rotatably movable relative to tool body and a second condition in which the mandrel and a tool body are rotationally coupled. The lock member is configured to move between the first condition and second condition in response to a mechanical axial force and rotational force on the mandrel.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A swivel tool for use in a wellbore comprising:
 a tool body connectable to a lower drill string; 
 a mandrel connectable to an upper drill string, the mandrel being movably mounted to the tool body and which is axially moveable relative to the tool body; 
 and a lock member moveable between a first condition in which the mandrel is rotatably movable relative to the tool body and where the mandrel is movably mounted to the tool body and a second condition in which the mandrel and the tool body are rotationally coupled; 
 wherein the lock member is configured to move axially along the mandrel between the first condition and second condition in response to rotation of the mandrel one or more times under a mechanical axial force in a first direction to move the lock member axially along the mandrel surface towards the lock member second condition, and 
 wherein, when the lock member is in the first condition, the mandrel and the upper drill string are configured to rotate relative to the tool body and the lower drill string. 
 
     
     
       2. The swivel tool according to  claim 1  wherein the tool body is connectable to a downhole apparatus and/or to a downhole string. 
     
     
       3. The swivel tool according to  claim 1  wherein the swivel tool is connectable to a drill string above a liner and/or to a drill string above a sand screen apparatus. 
     
     
       4. The swivel tool according to  claim 1  wherein the lock member is configured to move between the first condition and second condition in response to tension and right-hand rotation of the mandrel or in response to tension and left-hand rotation of the mandrel. 
     
     
       5. The swivel tool according to  claim 1  wherein the swivel tool is configured to be locked by mechanical manipulation of the mandrel or a downhole string connected to the mandrel. 
     
     
       6. The swivel tool according to  claim 1  comprising a bearing member wherein the bearing member is located between an inner surface of the tool body and an outer surface of the mandrel, and wherein the bearing member is configured to allow the rotation of the mandrel relative to the tool body. 
     
     
       7. The swivel tool according to  claim 1  wherein the tool body has a recess section on its inner surface wherein the recess section is shaped and/or dimensioned to receive the lock member. 
     
     
       8. The swivel tool according to  claim 7  wherein the recess section is a hex-shaped recess and the lock member is a corresponding hex shape configured to engage the hex recess section. 
     
     
       9. The swivel tool according to  claim 7  wherein the lock member is configured to move into the recess section in response to a mechanical axial force on the mandrel. 
     
     
       10. The swivel tool according to  claim 1  wherein the mandrel comprises threads formed on a section of its outer surface, wherein the lock member has a threaded bore which is configured to be threadably mounted on the mandrel. 
     
     
       11. The swivel tool according to  claim 10  wherein threads on the mandrel are configured to engage the threaded bore of the lock member when a mechanical axial force and rotational force is applied to the mandrel. 
     
     
       12. The swivel tool according to  claim 1  wherein the mandrel is configured to be rotated under tension to move the lock member axially along the mandrel surface. 
     
     
       13. The swivel tool according to  claim 1  comprising a dog assembly, wherein the dog assembly is located in or as part of the locking member and wherein the locking dog assembly comprises a latch member. 
     
     
       14. The swivel tool according to  claim 13  wherein the mandrel comprises a latch recess on its outer surface, wherein the latch member is configured to be fully received in the recess before the locking dog assembly latches. 
     
     
       15. The swivel tool according to  claim 14  wherein the latch recess and/or the latch member is configured to prevent axial movement of the mandrel relative to the tool body when the latch member is located in the latch recess. 
     
     
       16. A system for setting a liner and/or a sand screen in a wellbore, the system comprising a downhole string,
 a liner and/or a sand screen and a swivel tool; 
 wherein the swivel tool is connected in the downhole string above the liner and/or sand screen, and the swivel tool comprises: 
 a tool body connectable to a lower portion of the downhole string; 
 a mandrel connectable to an upper portion of the downhole string, the mandrel being movably mounted to the tool body and axially moveable relative to the tool body; 
 and a lock member moveable between a first position in which the mandrel is rotatably movable relative to the tool body and where the mandrel is movably mounted to the tool body and a second position in which the mandrel and the tool body are rotationally coupled; 
 wherein the lock member is configured to move axially along the mandrel between the first position and second position in response to rotation of the mandrel one or more times under a mechanical axial force in a first direction to move the lock member axially along the mandrel surface towards the lock member second condition, and 
 wherein, when the lock member is in the first condition, the mandrel and the upper portion of the downhole string are configured to rotate relative to the tool body and the lower portion of the downhole string. 
 
     
     
       17. A method of running a downhole apparatus into a wellbore, the method comprising:
 providing a downhole string connected to a downhole apparatus; 
 providing a swivel tool on the downhole string above the downhole apparatus, the swivel tool comprising a tool body connectable to a lower portion of the downhole string, a mandrel connectable to an upper portion of the downhole string, the mandrel being movably mounted to the tool body and which is axially moveable relative to the tool body, and a lock member; 
 after providing the swivel tool on the downhole string, running the downhole string, swivel tool and downhole apparatus into the wellbore while the lock member is in a first condition and the swivel is operational to enable rotation of the mandrel relative to the tool body, wherein, when the lock member is in the first condition, the mandrel and the upper portion of the downhole string are configured to rotate relative to the tool body and the lower portion of the downhole string; 
 after running the downhole string, swivel tool and downhole apparatus into the wellbore, rotating the downhole string one or more times under a mechanical axial force in a first direction to move the lock member axially along the mandrel surface towards a lock member second condition in which the mandrel and the tool body are rotationally coupled to rotationally lock the swivel tool; and 
 after applying the mechanical axial force and rotational force and rotationally locking the swivel tool, rotating the downhole string and the downhole apparatus in the wellbore. 
 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 17  comprising rotating the downhole string with the lock member in the first condition in which the mandrel is rotatably movable relative to tool body such that downhole string rotates but the downhole apparatus is not rotated. 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 17  comprising applying a mechanical axial force and rotational force to the downhole string to move the lock member between a first condition in which the mandrel is rotatably movable relative to tool body and a second condition in which the mandrel and a tool body are rotationally coupled. 
     
     
       20. The method according to  claim 17  comprising applying a mechanical axial force to the downhole string by providing tension, pulling force or an upward force on the downhole string. 
     
     
       21. The method according to  claim 17  wherein rotating the mandrel one or more times in the first direction is configured to engage a threaded bore of the lock member. 
     
     
       22. The method according to  claim 17  comprising rotating the mandrel approximately twenty-five times under tension in a first direction. 
     
     
       23. The method according  claim 17  comprising latching the lock member at the second position to lock the mandrel and a tool body in a rotationally coupled configuration. 
     
     
       24. The method according to  claim 17  wherein the downhole apparatus is a liner or a sand screen apparatus.